Installation guide

Related Topics
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For steps to stage Linux and UNIX patches for deployment, see "Configuring VCM to Work with the
Patching Repository and Alternate Locations" on page 162 and "Configure How Managed Machines
Stage Patches for Deployment" on page 165.
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For a description of events that VCM uses to trigger an automatic patch deployment, see "Configure
VCMfor Automatic Event-Driven Patch Assessment and Deployment" on page 170.
How the Linux and UNIX Patching Job Chain Works
The VCM job chain is a set of job steps used to automate the patching flow for Linux and UNIXmanaged
machines. The job chain includes the following steps.
1. Download Linux and UNIX patches from OS vendor sites, such as Red Hat, SUSE, and so on, and store
them in the patching repository.
2. Copy the patches from the primary patching repository machine to a geographically distributed
alternate location machine.
3. Stage the patches on the Linux and UNIX target managed machines to be patched.
4. Deploy the patches to the target managed machines.
5. (Optional) Rebootthe target managed machines.
When a Linux or UNIXpatchingjob requires only the patch deployment step and an optional reboot of
the managed machines, VCM does not use a job chain.
VCM displays the state of the running job chain jobs in the Patching Job Manager and the Administration
Job Manager, with the job steps and actions in the chain. Finished jobs appear in the job history.
After VCM begins the patching job and the job chain steps, you cannot alter the job chain.
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In the VCM Patching Job Manager or Administration Job Manager, when a job chain is running for
scheduled and pending jobs, you cannot edit or disable the job chain, but you can delete it. To cancel a
job chain, you must use the VCM Administration Job Manager. When you cancel a job in the job chain,
VCM cancels the entire job chain.
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In the VCM Patching Job Manager or Administration Job Manager, when a job chain appears in the
Running or Scheduled node, you can cancel the job chain if you select any link in the job chain.
Canceling any part of a chain cancels the entire job. You cannot rescheduled the job chain.
How the Deploy Action Works
The patch deployment action runs a command from the VCM Collector to the managed machines.
The VCM job command performs the following actions.
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Assesses VCM managed machines to determine whether the patch was installed since the last
assessment.
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Runs a preinstall script as a remote command, if specified.
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Installs the patch that already resides on the VCM managed machine’s mounted or local file system.
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Runs a postinstall script as a remote command, if specified.
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Assesses whether the patch was installed on the VCM managed machine.
The preinstall and postinstall scripts used in the deployment actions are remote commands, which differ
from using a VCMremote command to install a patch.
vCenter Configuration Manager Administration Guide
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